This time of year is perfect for pensive reflection.
In the last twelve months, we’ve seen a host of phenomenally talented artists firmly establish themselves as here for the long haul – including FKA Twigs, George Ezra and Jaws. Other familiar faces came back with a bang: we greeted Foo Fighters and Kasabian‘s recent records with open arms. Our iTunes libraries have been graced by albums from a plethora of talented old ‘uns and young ‘uns: Morrissey‘s World Peace Is None of Your Business shows that he’s very much still got it, whilst Superfood‘s eponymous debut reeks of exciting things to come from the Birmingham bunch.
Festival season came and went; many of us were lucky enough to witness some incredible live sets. Even if we weren’t present in the crowds, lots of us got our lighters out in our living room and pretended we were there, all thanks to the magic red button. From Metallica and Arcade Fire‘s sets at Glastonbury to Courteeners and Chvrches at Reading/Leeds festival, music lovers everywhere were spoilt for choice. It’s time for us to give something back.
In a very democratic manner, involving a magic Excel spreadsheet, our writers have nominated their favourite – and least favourite – artists for The Indiependent awards. First up … a band with a debut that affirmed Alex Turner’s words: Rock ‘n’ Roll is very much here to stay…
– Beth Kirkbride, Editor
Best Debut: Royal Blood
As much as I stick by the phrase ‘Rock and Roll can never die’, sometimes the state of the music industry nowadays really doesn’t give much hope on the Rock front. That was until Royal Blood came onto the scene earlier this year with their EP Out of the Black. Safe to say it blew my mind. It left me craving for more, and that was satisfied this summer with the release of their debut self-titled album, Royal Blood.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhgVu2lsi_k?rel=0]
Rocketing straight to number one on the UK Album Charts, Royal Blood blasted their way across the airwaves with such a heavy, guttural sound that I haven’t heard from a new rock band in such a long time. It harkens back to when Nirvana emerged from the underground Seattle scene, both bands coming out of nowhere and taking the world by storm.
On first listen, songs like ‘Figure It Out’ or ‘Ten Tonne Skeleton’ sound like your typical four piece band, but it’s far from that. Its two guys. Two. Mike Kerr on bass and Ben Thatcher on drums. How on earth two people manage to create that much atmosphere and sound is beyond me, and is one of the reasons why this band has already become influential. Not only to rock fans, but to iconic musicians from Jimmy Page to Foo Fighters, who personally asked for them to support them on select dates during their 2015 UK tour. It’s for that reason Royal Blood have won The Indiependent Best Debut award.
Words by Sophie McEvoy
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Best Male Artist: Johnny Marr
There are few artists in music who possess the inherent ability to create a buzzing atmosphere at any gig simply by strolling around the stage wielding their signature guitar or rhythmically swaying from side to side behind a primely placed microphone. Yet much like his most prominent former-Smiths cohort, Johnny Marr remains one of the true masters of this craft. It’s been an eventful year for the much-loved Manc: having released his sophomore solo record to critical acclaim, co-composing the motion picture soundtrack for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 with his ol’ pal Hans Zimmer, and becoming the first ever recipient of the Gibson Les Paul Award at the Q Awards to name but a few.
All the while embarking on an October UK tour that included a fabled homecoming show at the legendary Manchester Apollo – at which, a number of times Johnny got pretty nostalgic to say the least. A hugely memorable night and tour for all who attended, as I’m sure even the most casual of fans are aware: the man always dedicates an unassailably generous amount of time and is unfailingly kind to those who support him. That and all the aforementioned, is why Mr. Johnny Marr gets our nod as this year’s Best Male Solo Artist.
Words by Alex Graham
Best Female: Rae Morris
2014 has witnessed the rise of Rae Morris. The Blackpool girl with the big voice and even bigger hair began her year by featuring on Bombay Bicycle Club’s breath-taking fourth album, So Long, See You Tomorrow, adding her heavenly vocals to the magical ‘Luna.’ She quickly gained a slot as the headliner of the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds, the stage Florence + the Machine, Catfish and the Bottlemen and her pals Bombay Bicycle Club have graced in recent years. She also accompanied the Bombay boys to sing ‘Luna’ at Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and on their March tour, where she supported the band. We can’t get enough of her!
This year, Rae Morris has released 3 stunning EPs: Do You Even Know?, Cold and Closer, throughout which her music has blossomed into a more techno and ethereal sound. Her newest single ‘Under the Shadows’ is on XFM’s Best Tracks of 2014 and ‘Closer’ on Zane Lowe’s Hottest Records of 2014. She has just finished supporting George Ezra on his UK and European tour and her own tour starts in February at The Kazimier in Liverpool. With her debut album, Unguarded, set for release on the 26th January next year we’re excited to see what the Queen of 2014 can deliver next.
Words by Caitlin O’Connor
Most Overrated Album: The Balcony // Catfish & the Bottlemen
When you think of Welsh alternative music you don’t have to look much further than Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals, Cate Le Bon and Joanna Gruesome. When you compare Catfish and the Bottlemen to any of these artists, you get the feeling that they aren’t deserving of the comparison.
Yes, they are brand new out the box but so are Joanna Gruesome. Also, you’d think a band that took seven years to release their debut album may have come up with something slightly more special. The Balcony falls short of special.
It has catchy tunes, but catchy tunes don’t make an album great. Not to mention ‘catchy’ soon becomes irritating, when you give them as much airplay as BBC Radio 1 have given the band in the last year. ‘Kathleen’ is fun, but disjointed. ‘Cocoon’ is one of the better tracks, but turns sour as a result of Van McCann’s constant use of the word “fuck”. ‘Fallout’ is flat and ‘Pacifier’ simply sucks, if you’ll pardon the pun. To their credit, ‘Business’ and ‘Sidewinder’ are two standouts from an album otherwise lacking in magic.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWgq8b5vQEY?rel=0]
The thing is, Catfish and the Bottlemen aren’t a bad band, they just aren’t great. They are a band that remind you of The Wombats. They’re a fun band and are probably great live, but lack the musical genius to make an amazing album, which is why The Balcony falls short, right into the ‘average’ pile.
Talking about sex and getting drunk is sooo 1980s when it is done in a route one kind of way.
Words by Michael Houston
Most Underrated Album: This Is All Yours // Alt-J
Following their esteemed debut album, An Awesome Wave, Alt-J were tagged to be the next Radiohead; with this initial success, fans became frenzied leading to this huge expectation for their second album. However, This Is All Yours didn’t receive the glowing reception many assumed it would.
The bands second album has a totally different vibe and is arguably more ‘mainstream’ than the first. Despite this, there are a multitude of reasons as to why this album is the most underrated of 2014.
One of the stand-out tracks of the album ‘Every Other Freckle’ is dark, sexually focused and moody; it perfectly encompasses everything we loved about the first album, including that unique singing voice. The two biggest hits of the album, ‘Hunger Of The Pine’ and ‘Left Hand Free’ are somewhat ‘poppy’ in both melody and structure, however the real reason this album is underrated is for the songs nobody seems to have taken much notice of.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_wdKxvOQbM?rel=0]
‘Bloodflood pt. 2’ is a wonderfully calming and melodic link to the first album, which really ties the two together and makes the listener feel as if they’re following a story; which essentially, is what a good album is supposed to do. ‘Warm Foothills’ is a beautiful song, capable of giving anyone goose bumps with each listen. The whole album is brilliantly finished off with a cover of Bill Withers’ ‘Lovely Day.’ The ability to take something typically R&B and transform it into something as dreamy and enchanting as this cover is something Alt-J has over every other band out there and is what makes this album so exceptional.
Despite being hugely underrated, this is a perfectly imperfect album which is definitely worth just under an hour of your time.
Words by Hayley Lynes
Best Band of 2014: Kasabian
In 2014, no one did it quite like Kasabian. They continued to push their own boundaries while maintaining their everyman appeal. Ten years after their self-titled debut album, Kasabian haven’t just survived, they’ve become bigger than ever.
This summer, the Leicester band’s critic-defying fifth album 48:13 masterminded by Serge Pizzorno’s musical adventuring proved to be keener than ever. Serge and his indefatigable childhood pal and band frontman Tom Meighan, both 33, then held court in front of 60,000 hometown revellers in Leicester’s Victoria Park. They very firmly now exist in British music’s fancy upper ranks, becoming a force in the history of British music.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST6nEvIEY4s?rel=0&w=740&h=422]
Musically, 48:13 was the most diverse album yet. Featuring gargantuan bangers (‘Bumblebee’, ‘Stevie’) to eight-minute dance-techno (‘Treat’) to slower numbers (‘Glass’, ‘Explodes’). Lead single ‘Eez-eh’ – a song that rhymes a slang term for cocaine (“bugle”) with a popular worldwide search engine (“Google”) was an immediate indication that Kasabian’s new ideas were different but a sign of intent. This was seen as a benchmark for the rest of the year for the Leicester band who were widely talked about by critics, all who had different opinions on the bands attitude and enthusiasm.
No one’s got a clue where Kasabian will go next and that’s what makes it exciting for the band and its fans. To do that, you have to be bold and take numerous risks, that’s exactly what Kasabian have done.
Words by Bill Edgar
Most Rock n Roll Moment: Alex Turner at The Brits
Best Festival Performance: Drenge @ Reading/Leeds Festival
It’s hard to believe that Drenge are only a two piece, given the noise they made in the Radio 1/NME tent at Braham Park this summer. I have it on good authority they put on an even better show at Reading, too. With Eoin Loveless on guitar and vocals, and his younger brother Rory on drums, Drenge sure know how to make a hell of a racket. With every track the duo ensure they give the audience their money’s worth.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD9KSpjoY24?rel=0]
Circle pits and moshing galore, a Drenge crowd is no place for the faint hearted. Highlights from their live set included ‘Bloodsports’ and ‘People In Love Make Me Feel Yuck’; the words were shouted back at the Loveless brothers from the very back of the tent and beyond – fans spilled out into the open air. The question is not of Drenge’s ability to put on a cracking live show, but whether the Radio 1/NME Stage will be able to contain their mammoth, grungey anthems in 2015.
Words by Beth Kirkbride
Biggest Disappointment: Arctic Monkeys @ Reading/Leeds Festival
2013 really was Arctic Monkeys year; their self-titled album is one of the greatest selling rock albums of the new millennia, escalating them to becoming arguably the greatest British rock band of recent times. After blowing The Rolling Stones out of the water at Glastonbury, it was no surprise why they were soon listed as a Reading and Leeds headliner for 2014.
Selling out their day tickets in only a few months, the anticipation for their headline set was unrepeatable. If only their performance had lived up to the hype.
A slightly tipsy Alex Turner wanders onto the stage. A few microphone errors and long-winded guitar solos later, the crowd began to realize that something wasn’t quite right. A poorly chosen set-list intertwined with shoddy showmanship, resulted in AM showing themselves up, with the superb light-show attracting most of the attention.
Despite an electric reception from the crowd initially, Turner and his band of Monkeys failed to reach – let alone exceed – expectations, leaving thousands of fans unsatisfied. Were we to receive an encore to counteract their otherwise sub-standard performance? No, we weren’t. Whilst ‘Mardy Bum’ may have been absent from the set-list, there were plenty of mardy bums in the audience as they headed back to their tents, feeling let down by the Sheffield band.
Words by George Lewthwaite
Best Musical Facial Hair: Simon Neil
A great deal can be expressed by a man who is accompanied by solid thicket of facial hair; strength, independence, pioneering manship, but most importantly a statement. All of which was epitomised at a top of the bill festival appearance at Simon Neil’s native habitat: T in the Park. It was a fuel injected Friday night in Kinross, graced by a thunderstruck set from the brave heart rugged front man.
Neil exhibited a statement of success throughout the performance, of which was accentuated by a rugged facial exterior. It was apparent: no one left to impress, zero left to prove. Before the sea of thousands stood an established band, an untouchable leader, above everything a roaring beard which has smashed 2014 into countless little pieces.
Words by Aaron Spencer
Idiot Of The Year: Bono
It is safe to say that Bono – the strange-looking U2 frontman with perpetually present goggles, in case any of you have been living in a cardboard box – hasn’t exactly had the best year. It all started when earlier this year on a flight to Germany, the rear door of the aeroplane he was on flew off. It caused the singer’s entire luggage to fall out and resulted in the internet being plunged into death hoax rumours. Bono did not get sucked out of the plane – although some probably wish he had – but it was ostensibly overheard that the people attempting to find the broken door “Still haven’t found what they’re looking for”.
Just a few days later, Bono fell off his bike in New York and consequently went through 5 hours of surgery due to a broken eye socket. All that before we’ve even touched on the hate sent to him and the rest of U2 in the midst of widespread panic, when people came to the terrifying conclusion that they could not delete the new U2 album of their phones. Free music. It really is a horrible world we live in, isn’t it? Slated by one individual for the intrusive nature of the album drop, Bono’s retort was “Oops. I’m sorry about that”. He sounds sorry… just about as sorry as we are, as we conclude that Bono is the undeniable winner of the award ‘Idiot of the Year’.
Words by Daisy Lester
One Hit Wonder: All About That Bass // Meghan Trainor
Earlier this year, if you were to mention the name Meghan Trainor it is likely that nobody would have known who you were talking about. However, after the release of her debut single ‘All About That Bass’ back in June, we all suddenly seemed to be singing about “bringing booty back” and how “every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top”.
Undoubtedly the song was a giant success, reaching No.1 in 16 countries; a feat which can be attributed to its upbeat, memorable and repetitive lyrics, which arguably carry messages of body positivity and feminism. But then ‘All About That Base’ received a lot of online media attention when people began to read deeper into the lyrics. Many people realised that the singer could be accused of playing up to the age-old misogynistic view that women have to please men, stating “boys like a little more booty to hold at night”.
But if you were asked to name any other songs by Trainor would you be able to? Were you at all aware she has previously released two studio albums? That she has a third due for release in January? The fact that Trainor has such a multitude of unknown songs causes reason to question as to whether ‘All About That Bass’ is just a another song in a sea of hits… which is exactly why it’s our One Hit Wonder of 2014!
Words by William Castile
Best Band Merch: The Wytches
Forget The Rolling Stones and Joy Division band tees. Say hello to The Wytches and the grooviest band merch I’ve ever seen in my whole 7 years of buying band merch. This isn’t a top you would get in Primark that gets turned into leggings, underwear and even a scarf.
The Wytches music is one thing, the band merch is on a whole new level. I have such high envy for my friends who already have a Wytches tee and wear it around college with such pride.Despite your parents thinking you have joined a satanic cult, The Wytches band tees are cool and groovy. What is better to show your love for a band than wearing a band tee, especially when it’s The Wytches??!!
Words by Brigid Harrison-Draper
Disagree with any of our nominees? Tell us who you’d have picked: @indie_pendent_